Surgical clamp



12, 1965 v Q B. J. CLEMONS 3,210,816

SURGICAL CLAMP Filed Sept. 19, 1963 MHZ/541V 6247/0/16 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,210,816 SURGICAL CLAMP Bette Jean Clemons, 1947 E. Earl] Drive, Phoenix, Ariz. Filed Sept. 19, 1963, Ser. No. 310,017 21 Claims. (CI. 24-73) This invention relates to a clamp for holding tubes or cords and more particularly relates to such a clamp for holding tubes and cords in place during a surgical operation.

In many surgical operations it is necessary to provide various tubings and electrical cords in the vicinity of the incision. For example, one or more suction tubes must often be provided to remove blood and other body fluids from the operating region. For this purpose, a sterile section of tubing and a special sterile metal suction tip are employed, the sterile suction tubing connecting with an unsterile length of tubing leading to the vacuum drawing machine somewhere below the sterile range of the sheets or drapes that cover the patient and the operating table. It is often also necessary to provide an electro-cautery cord for use in the operation.

The sterile suction tubing must be attached to the sheets in some manner to prevent the tubing from sliding off of the sterile field onto the floor. The device now commonly used to accomplish this end is known as a towel clip. A towel clip is similar to a pair of scissors but instead of cutting blades, the towel clip is provided with a pair of sharp teeth which puncture the sheet as they close around it. The finger holes of the towel clip are employed to hold the tubing by passing the tubing through the loops.

Since the teeth of a towel clip puncture the sheet, a sudden yank or the like often results in the tearing of the sheet. The puncturing of the sheet is itself a dangerous practice as it risks contamination of the sterile field. The manner in which the tube is passed through the loops also tend to cause kinking of the tubing with subsequent loss of pressure diiferential. Moreover, since each towel clip is only capable of handling one tube, if more than one are necessary the number of towel clips is multiplied and the operating field is somewhat cluttered.

According to the present invention, a single clamp is provided that is capable of holding a plurality of lengths of tubing or electrical cords which may be necessary during the performance of an operation. The clamp may be secured to the sheets or drapes without piercing them and thus does not present the problem of tearing the sheets or the risk of contaminating the field. The clamp is easily engaged and disengaged with the sheets, and the tubes or cords are easily engaged and disengaged with the clamp so that the clamp is extremely easy and convenient to use. Should the tubing have to be. changed during an operation for any reason, this may easily be accomplished without disturbing the clamp itself.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a clamp for securing tubes or cords.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a clamp for securing the tubes and cords used during a" surgical operation.

It is another object of the presentinvention to provide such a clamp which may be easily attached to the sheets draped'over the patient .or operating table without piercing or tearingthe sheets.

These and. other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the accompanying description and drawings in which:

FIGURE '1 is a side elevation of a first embodiment of a clamp according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the clamp in FIGURE 1.

3,210,816 Patented Oct. 1 2; 11965 FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of a clamp according to the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation ofa third" embodiment of a clamp according to the presentinvention.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 illustrates the clamping action of a clamp of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8' is a plan view' of a modification of the portion of the clamp common to all three embodiments.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, there is shown a first embodiment of a'surgic'al clamp according to the present invention; In this embodiment, the clamp is formed of a single strip of resilient material 10 in which has been stamped a plurality of holes 11, 12 and 13. The holes 11 and 13 are shaped with generally, circular portions 14 and 15 at either end thereof and a connecting slot 16 joining the circular portions 14 and 15, the slot 16 being considerably narrower than the diameter of the circular portions 14 and 15. If desired, the slot 16 can be provided with a slightly enlarged portion 17 in its central region.

The hole 12 is also provided with circular end portions 18 and 19 and a connectingslot'20, the slot20 having a lateral dimension less than the diameter of the circular portions 18 and 19.

After the strip of material 10 has'been stamped with the'holes 11, 12 and 13, it is folded to have a base member 23, an upper member 24, and connecting leg members 25 and 26: These leg members 25 and 26 are formed by folding the material along a line dividing the slots and 20, thus providing this portion of the strip with the shape of an inverted V. The upper member 24 isprovided with a depending flange 27 which is adapted to cooperate with a generally V-shaped trough 28 formed at the end of the base member 23 thus forming apair of jaws. The bend or hinge 29 joining the base member 23 and leg 26 is such that in the rest position the flange 27 is biased away from the trough 28 so that the jaws are partially open. 7 p

The base member 23 is provided with a suitable opening through which extends a bolt 32 having. athreaded upper portion 33. The-bolt 32 ispreferably weldedor otherwise bonded to the base m'em ber 23. The upper member 24 is also provided with a hole for receiving the threaded portion 33 of the bolt 32. A suitable nut 34 is then threaded on to the threaded portion 33 of the bolt 32 and the end of the bolt-flattened so the nutcan not be removed. The cylindrical portions18 and 19 of the hole 12- are preferably provided with arcuate grommets 35 and 36 of a low friction materialsuch as-polytetrafluoroethylene. Similar grommets could be used in the other holes if desired, the sire of the interior diameter of the grommets being changeable to handle difierent size tubing.

In operation, the so called sterile nurse or other attendant makes a horizontal fold in one of the sterile sheets and inserts the fold between the flange 27 and-- trough 28. The nut 34 is then-tightened on the bolt 32- until the flange 27 and trough-28 firmly grasp the fold of the sheet between them. The attendant then pinches the lengths of tubing at appropriate points with -1'espectto' the operating area andthe vacuum pump. The pinched slots 20 ofthe hole 12 into the grommets-35 and-36-whereit will be held inplace without damage to itsinsulation.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, a second embodiment of the clamp of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, two separate strips of resilient material 40 and 41 are used. The strip 40 has holes 42, 43 and 44 similar to the holes 11, 12 and 13 of FIG- URES 1 and 2 formed therein. One end of the strip 40 is separated into three portions 45, 46 and 47. The flanking portions 45 and 47 are bent under the strip 40 and have their ends bent backward at 48 to be roughly parallel to the strip 40. The end of the middle portion 46 is bent upward at 49. The strip 40 itself is bent along the center line of the holes 42, 43 and 44 to have the general shape of an inverted V.

The second strip 41 has a main portion 50, and up standing flange 51 at one end of the main portion 50, and a tongue 52 extending from the other end of the main portion 50. A pair of dents 53 and 54 are formed in the underside of the main portion 50 on either side of the tongue 52. These dents 53 and 54 serve to receive the ends 48 of the portions 45 and 47 of the first strip 40 while the upstanding flange 51 prevents movement of the rear leg of the strip 40. This action causes portion 46 of the strip 42 to firmly engage the tongue 52 of the strip 41. The portion 46 and tongue 52 can be forced apart to receive a fold of a sheet and then released to engage it firmly. The tubing and cords are inserted in the same manner as in FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURES and 6 show a third embodiment of the clamp of the present invent-ion. In this embodiment a first strip of resilient material 58 has holes 59, 60 and 61 formed therein in the same manner as in the previous embodiments. The strip 58 is folded to form legs 62 and 63, the leg 62 having an extension 64 bent at a slight angle with the leg 62. The extension 64 is provided with a slot 65 and has a plurality of bumps or dimples 66 formed near its outer end.

A second strip of resilient material 67 cooperates with the first member 58 and is provided with legs 68 and 69, the leg 69 having an upstanding flange 70 which is preferably spot welded to the leg 63 of the member 58. The leg 68 is provided with a curved portion 71 which extends through the slot 65 in the extension 64 and is provided at its outer end, which is approximately parallel with the extension 64, with a plurality of indentations 72 which correspond to, and cooperate with, the dimples 66 on the extension 64. A latch 73 is mounted on the leg 62 of the member 58 by means of a rivet or suitable fastening means 74 and is restrained from easy movement by a spring washer 75.

As can readily be seen, the clamp of FIGURES S and 6 is opened by turning the latch 73 out of engagement with the portion 71 of the member 67. The fold of the sheet is then inserted between this portion 71 and the extension 64 of the member 58. The latch is then turned to the locking position to firmly maintain the sheet between the two members. The dimples 66 and indentations 72 cooperate to enhance this action. The action of this mechanism can be seen in FIGURE 7 which shows the latched position in solid lines and the unlatched position in dotted lines.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a modification that may be made to any of the clamps previously described. In this figure, each of the holes 11 and 13 have been modified to accommodate tubing of various different diameters. As can be seen, the circular portions 14 and at either end of the hole are joined by slots 76, 77, 78 and 79 to further circular portions 80, 81, 82 and 83 respectively. After the strip is bent into shape, whatever size tubing is to be used can be inserted through the appropriate slots into the corraponding size circular portion. As an example, the circular portions 14 and 15 may have diameters of /2 inch, the circular portions 80 and 82 may have diameters of A inch and the circular portions 81 and 83 may have diameters of /1 inch. The connecting slots would be correspondingly scaled, the slots 16 having a width of inch, the slots 76 and 78 having a 4 width of 7 inch and the slots 77 and 79 having a width of 7 inch. If desired, the various circular portions in each end of the holes 11 and 13 may be aligned in a straight line, either vertically, horizontally or at an angle rather than in the offset positions shown.

As can be seen from the foregoing description, a clamp has been provided which is capable of quick and easy engagement or disengagement with a sheet of the type used to cover patients or operating tables. The clamp is capable of holding a plurality of lengths of tubing of -any pliable wall material for suction or other purposes and is also capable of holding whatever electrical cords may be necessary in the performance of the operation. The provision of a single device for holding a plurality of tubes and cords permits the rapid removal of all this apparatus as a unit at the end of an operation, a time when speed may be vital. While each of the clamps illustrated is provided with means for holding tubes and one cord, it is obvious that the clamps may be modified to hold any number of tubes and cords. It should also be obvious that latching devices other than those shown may be used within the scope of the present invention.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms not departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A device for holding lengths of tubing used in a surgical operation while attached to a sheet covering the patient or operating table comprising a first member and a second member, said first member having a plurality of openings therein, each of said openings having a pair of circular portions joined by a longitudinal slot, said first member being bent along a line dividing said slots whereby lengths of tubing may be inserted through said slots into said pairs of circular portions, hinge means for connecting said first and second members, and means for engaging a portion of said first member remote from said openings and said hinge means with a portion of said second member remote from said hinge means to securely grasp a piece of covering sheet inserted therebetween.

2. The clamp of claim 1 wherein slotted grommets are inserted into at least some of said circular portions of said openings.

3. A device for holding lengths of tubing used in a surgical operation while attached to a sheet covering the patient or operating table comprising a strip of material having a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving said lengths of tubing, a portion of said strip being bent to form a first member and a second member, said bent portion serving as a hinge joining said members, said first member including a V-shaped portion having its apex pointing away from said second member, said openings being formed in said V-shaped portion, the ends of said strip being formed into jaws for grasping said sheet, and latching means for maintaining said jaws in a closed position.

4. A device for holding lengths of tubing used in a surgical operation while attached to a sheet covering the patient or operating table comprising a strip of material having a plurality of openings formed therein, each of said openings having a pair of circular portions joined by a longitudinal slot, a portion of said strip being bent to form a first member and a second member, said bent portion serving as a hinge joining said members, said first member having a V-shaped portion formed by bending said strip along a line dividing said slots, and a portion extending outwardly from said V-shaped portion in a.- direction generally parallel to said second member, the, ends of said extending portion and said second member being formed into jaws for grasping said sheet, and latching means for maintaining said jaws in a closed position, said V-shaped portion permitting said lengths of tubing to be inserted through said slots into said circular portions.

5. The device of claim 3wherein said jaws are formed by providing said extending portion with a depending flange and said second member with a trough for receiving said flange.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein said latching means comprises a bolt passed through said extending portion and said secondmember and a nut threadedly cooperat ing with saidbolt toforce the flange of said extending portion into the trough of said second member.

7. A device for holding lengths of tubing used in a surgical operation while attached to a sheet coveringthe patient or operating table comprising a first strip of material having a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving said lengths of tubing, a portion of said first strip being bent in a V-shape, said openings being located in said V-shaped portion, one end of said strip being divided into a central portion and two flanking portions, a resilient strip of material, said resilient strip of material having an upstanding flange at one end, an extending tongue at the other end, and a pair of dents formed therein intermediate said ends, the two flanking portions of said first strip being bent to enter said dents and the central portion engaging said tongue, the other end of said first strip engaging said flange of said resilient strip whereby said flanking portions of said first strip act against the forces exerted on said resilient strip by said central portion and said other end of said first strip so that said tongue and said central portion form jaws to grasp said sheet.

8. A device for holding lengths of tubing used in a surgical operation while attached to a sheet covering the patient or operating table comprising a first strip of material having a plurality of openings formed therein, each of said openings having a pair of circular portions joined by a longitudinal slot, said strip being provided with a V- shape by being bent along a line dividing said slots whereby said lengths of tubing may be inserted through said slots into said circular portions, one end of said strip being divided into a central portion and two flanking portions, a strip of resilient material, said strip of resilient material having an upstanding flange at one end, an extending tongue at the other end, and a pair of dents formed therein intermediate said ends, the two flanking portions of said first strip being bent to enter said dents and the central portion engaging said tongue, the other end of said first strip engaging said flange of said resilient strip whereby said flanking portions of said first strip act against the forces exerted on said resilient strip by said central portion and said other end of said first strip so that said tongue and said central portion form jaws to grasp said sheet.

9. A device for holding lengths of tubing used in a surgical operation while attached to a sheet covering the patient or operating table comprising a first strip of material having a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving said lengths of tubing, a portion of said first strip being bent in a V-shape, said openings being located in said V-shaped portion, one end of said strip having a slot formed therein, a second strip of material fastened at one end to the other end of said first strip and having a portion extending through said slot in said first strip, and latching means for causing said extending portion of said second strip to engage an area of said first strip adjacent said slot, so that a portion of a sheet may be engaged between said extending portion and said area.

10. A device for holding lengths of tubing used in a surgical operation while attached to a sheet covering the patient or operating table comprising a first strip of material having a plurality of openings formed therein, each of said openings having a pair of circular portions joined by a longitudinal slot, said strip being provided with a V-shaped portion by being bent along a line dividing said slots whereby said lengths of tubing may be inserted through said slots into said circular portions, said first strip having an angled portion extending from said V- shaped portion, said angled portion having a slot therein, a second strip of material fastened at one end to the end of said first strip remote from said angled portion and having a portion extending through said slot in-said angled portion of said first strip, and latching means for causing a portion of said sheet to be grasped and held between said extending portion of said second strip and an area of said angled portion of said first strip adjacent said slot.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said extended pork tion of said second'strip is curved so that its outer end is approximately parallel to said angled portion of said first strip.

12. The device of claim 10wherein said latching means comprises a latch pivotally mounted on said first strip, said latch being movable to engage said extending portion of said second strip and move it toward said angled por-' tion of said first strip.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein additional pairs of circular portions are'provided in said first'mernber, said additional pairs of circular portions being adapted to receive lengths of tubing inserted into said slots.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said additional pairs of circular portions are of ditferent diameter than said first pair.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein each additional pair of circular portions are joined to said first pair by slots formed in said first member.

16. A device for holding lengths of tubing used in a surgical operation while attached to a sheet covering the patient or operating table comprising a first strip of material and a second strip of material, said first strip of material having a V-shape portion having openings formed therein for receiving lengths of tubing, the apex of said V-shape portion pointing away from said second strip, hinge means for connecting said first and second strips, and means for engaging a portion of said first strip with a portion of said second strip to securely grasp a piece of sheet material inserted therebetween.

17. A device for holding lengths of tubing used in a surgical operation while attached to a sheet covering the patient or operating table comprising a first member and a second member, said first member including a V-shaped portion having a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving lengths of tubing, the apex of said V-shaped portion pointing away from said second member, hinge means for connecting said second member with a portion of said first member on one side of said V-shaped portion, and means for engaging a portion of said second member with a portion of said first member on the other side of said V-shaped portion.

18. A device for holding lengths of tubing used in a surgical operation while attached to a sheet covering the patient or operating table comprising a first strip of material having a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving said lengths of tubing, a second strip of material, a portion of said first strip being bent in a V-shape with the apex of said V-shaped portion pointing away from said second strip, said opening being located in said apex, hinge means for connecting said first and second strips, the ends of said strips remote from said hinge means being formed into jaws for grasping said sheet, said first strip having a further opening formed therein intermediate said end and said plurality of openings, and latching means mounted on said second strip intermediate said end and said hinge means, said latching means passing through said further opening and operable to maintain said jaws in a closed position to hold a sheet.

19. A device for holding lengths of tubing used in a surgical operation while attached to a sheet covering the patient or operating table comprising a first strip of material having a plurality of openings formed therein, each of said openings having a pair of end portions joined by a longitudinal slot, said end portions being wider than said slot, a second strip of material, hinge means for conmeeting said first and second strips, said first strip having a V-shaped portion formed by bending said strip along a line dividing said slots, and a portion extending outwardly from said V-shaped portion in a direction generally parallel to said second strip, said extending portion having an opening formed therein, the end of said extending portion and the end of said second strip remote from said hinge means being formed into jaws for grasping said sheet, and latching means mounted on said second strip intermediate said end and said hinge means, said latching means passing through said opening in said extended portion and operable to maintain said jaws in a closed position to hold said sheet.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein said jaws are formed by providing said extending portion with a depending fiange and said second strip with a trough for receiving said flange.

21. A device for holding lengths of tubing used in a surgical operation while attached to a sheet covering the patient or operating table comprising a first member and a second member, said first member having a plurality of openings therein, each of said openings having a pair of end portions joined by a longitudinal slot, the lateral dimension of said slot being less than those of said end portions, said first member being bent along a line dividing said slots whereby lengths of tubing may be inserted through said slots into said pairs of end portions, hinge means for connecting said first and second members, and means for engaging a portion of said first member remote from said openings and said hinge means with a portion of said second member remote from said hinge means to securely grasp a piece of sheet material inserted therebetween.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,041,514 5/36 Reiter 24259 2,144,140 1/ 39 Batcheller 24-248 2,195,893 4/40 McGann 24-248 2,603,237 7/52 Van I-Iyning 2481 X 2,664,005 12/53 Kosinski 248-373 X FOREIGN PATENTS 156,069 10/ 32 Switzerland. 242,810 11/46 Switzerland.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

DONLEY J. STOCKING, Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR HOLDING LENGTHS OF TUBING USED IN A SURGICAL OPERATION WHILE ATTACHED TO A SHEET COVERING THE PATIENT OR OPERATNG TABLE COMPRISING A FIRST MEMBER AND A SECOND MEMBER, SAID FIRST MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS THEREIN, EACH OF SAID OPENINGS HAVING A PAIR OF CIRCULAR PORTIONS JOINED BY A LONGITUDINAL SLOT, SAID FIRST MEMBER BEING BENT ALONG A LINE DIVIDING SAID SLOTS WHEREBY LENGTHS OF TUBING MAY BE INSERTED THROUGH SAID SLOTS INTO SAID PAIRS OF CIRCULAR PORTIONS, HINGED MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS, AND MEANS FOR ENGAGING A PORTION OF SAID FIRST MEMBER REMOTE FROM SAID OPENINGS AND SAID HINGE MEANS WITH A PORTION OF SAID SECOND MEMBER REMOTE FROM SAID HINGE MEANS TO SECURELY GRASP A PIECE OF COVERING SHEET INSERTED THEREBETWEEN. 